[The Hill] White House press secretary violated Hatch Act: watchdog

White House press secretary violated Hatch Act: watchdog

https://thehill.com/homenews/admini...-press-secretary-violated-hatch-act-watchdog/

excerpt:

A watchdog agency has informed the White House that press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act through her usage of the term “mega MAGA Republicans” in the lead up to the 2022 midterm elections.

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) detailed in a report that Jean-Pierre used the term during the daily press briefings. The agency sent her a warning letter, deciding not to pursue disciplinary action.

“As has been made clear throughout the administration, we take the law seriously and uphold the Hatch Act. We are reviewing this opinion,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in response to the warning.

The letter, which was sent from OSC Hatch Act Unit chief Ana Galindo‐Marrone on June 7, outlines that “Jean‐Pierre violated the Hatch Act when, during an official press briefing, she referred to ‘mega MAGA Republican officials who don’t believe in the rule of law’ and made ‘other derogatory statements’ about the Republican Party.”

“Although Ms. Jean‐Pierre never expressly instructed viewers to vote for or against Republican candidates for elected office, OSC concluded that the timing, frequency, and content of Ms. Jean‐Pierre’s references to ‘MAGA Republicans’ established that she made those references to generate opposition to Republican candidates. Accordingly, making the references constituted political activity,” the letter read.

Jean-Pierre often refers to the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal government employees from engaging in campaign activity in their official capacity, when she is questioned during the daily press briefings on an issue that may overlap with campaign issues.

President Biden uses the term “mega MAGA Republicans” in speeches to refer to members of his opposing party that align with former President Trump. The Hatch Act does not apply to the president or vice president.
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no one is above the law

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